How to Plan Your Engagement Session.

So, guys, guess what!?

What?

I recently got married!

What?!?!?

I know, right!?!? Congrats to me! LOL

Being on the other side of the fence was something entirely different for me. I had gotten so used to being behind the camera. Through my process, I learned the dos and don'ts for planning every aspect of your wedding, from the engagement session to the day of your ceremony. We won't run through everything right now, but I wanted to get you off on a great start with tips on planning your engagement session!

Get your notebooks (or electronic devices) out, everyone; it's time to plan!

Build your creative team

Your creative team consists of your:

Hairstylist or Barber
Nail tech
Make-up artist
Photographer
Videographer

And, maybe your partner, but I am sure they will only get in the way. LOL

When building your creative team for your engagement session, make sure to RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! Be sure to take the time to go through everyone's body of work to ensure their style fits your vision. If you have to ask someone to change their style to match your dream, you're more than likely not going to like the end product, but if their style does fit your vision, then your session is sure to please!

For example, I knew that I wanted to pose with a little bit of fun! So, I focused on looking for vendors that fit that aesthetic.

Choosing Your Hairstyle

I've learned that all hairstyles have to have a trial period, for me since I have a medium height natural tapered haircut. This is when you determine what hairstyle you would like to have during your engagement session. I knew that for my session, I wanted my curls to pop. So I had to figure out when my curls popped the most and with how much product. I discovered that my curls popped the most with a fresh wash, so I would be washing my hair the morning of our session.

Psst, I suggest having a backup hairstyle just in case your original idea doesn't pan out.

Using a barber? Book in advance! Make sure your barber is available ahead of your engagement session. That's part of my process, too, actually, LOL. It was essential to make sure my barber would be in town the week of my engagement session to have a fresh haircut and look fly!

Location, location, location!

I have two simple instructions.

Step One: Pick someplace that is meaningful to you and your partner. Maybe it's where you had your 1st date, the city you met in, or the stadium of your favorite sports team.

Or,

Step Two: Anything else! Sky's the limit. As long as the location fits your vision for your session, then you are good to go.

Extra step: Scout locations with your partner. Make it a fun date. 😉

Coordinate Your Looks

Pick the color scheme for your outfits. The easiest way I’ve found to do this is by using Canva’s Color Wheel. It allows you to choose a color, select a color combination, and it generates colors that complement each other. Canva has several color combinations options, such as,

Complementary, two colors that are on opposite sides of the color wheel.
Monochromatic, which is three shades, tones, and tints of a base color.
Analogous, three colors that are side by side on the color wheel.
Triadic, three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel.
Tetradic, four colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel.

Picking Your Outfit

The most important part, I believe, of your engagement session. People, I cannot stress this point enough, lean in closely, and read slowly, PICK YOUR OUTFIT FRIST, then coordinate your partner. Your partner doesn't need to know they were an afterthought. That can be our little secret!

On your search, I suggest looking for something off the rack or getting an outfit custom-made. If you decide to shop off the rack, I recommend trying stores like Nordstrom, Dillard's, and Macy's. These stores have excellent evening wear! I didn't have an outfit in mind; I had a feeling in mind. How I was going to feel in this outfit was the most critical part for me. Once I found an outfit that made me feel my best self, I used the color wheel to see what colors would work best with mine, and those were the colors I gave to my fiance as a guide while he was shopping.

If you decide to go down the custom-made route, make sure to plan this out weeks in advance. Giving yourself enough time to get the garment made and fitted to your body.

Major Key: Pick an outfit that makes your feel your best self!

B O N U S ! ! !

Create intimacy. Leading up to your engagement session. I'm not talking about doing the freaky dicky, though! I am talking about doing things like holding hands more often, going for walks, playing board games, putting the phones away to just talk and laugh. Doing this will help to reinforce that deeper connection, so come the day of the session, you two will be ready to go!

Looking to book your upcoming engagement session with Nine One Four Photography and Film?

Peek around our site to see our work, and let's chat!

let's chat!